From:
dr_bruce_williams
Date: 2002-02-24 20:45:00 UTC
Subject: Re: Fibrosarcoma... need help
--- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., Betty <BlurOFur@s...> wrote:
> Hi all... my 11 year old female ferret recently showed signs of
swelling
> on the left side of her face, right under her eye. .... Lab result
of a subsequent biopsy of her gums came back
> positive for fibrosarcoma. This cancer has left her eye bulging
outwards
> slightly. The gum area is not healing.
>
> Considering her age and location of the cancer, what are my options?
> Realistically, I know that palliative care is really all that I can
> give. If I understand the disease correctly, aggressive tactics are
the
....Has there been any resent
> advancements in treatment of this disease in ferrets that are
affected
> in the head area?
Betty - I'm sure that you know the answer to this one - there is
unfortunately not too much time left. Sarcomas - the tumors arising
from the connective tissues of the body- are poorly responsive to
chemotherapeutic agents. Radiation is best used against them, but in
an 11 year old animal with poor regenerative capabilities -
Make the most of remaining time, use lots of butorphanol or a similar
pain-killing agent - bone tumors are painful, and err on the side of
euthanizing just a bit too soon before it gets too painful.
Wish I could sound more hopeful, but you've already doene wonders
with her - 11 years worth.
With kindest regards,
Bruce Williams, dVM